US8955164B1 - Process for checking medical aprons - Google Patents

Process for checking medical aprons Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US8955164B1
US8955164B1 US13/689,811 US201213689811A US8955164B1 US 8955164 B1 US8955164 B1 US 8955164B1 US 201213689811 A US201213689811 A US 201213689811A US 8955164 B1 US8955164 B1 US 8955164B1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
apron
software
stored
lead
data
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active, expires
Application number
US13/689,811
Inventor
Michael J. Ruthemeyer
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US13/689,811 priority Critical patent/US8955164B1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US8955164B1 publication Critical patent/US8955164B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Adjusted expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21F—PROTECTION AGAINST X-RADIATION, GAMMA RADIATION, CORPUSCULAR RADIATION OR PARTICLE BOMBARDMENT; TREATING RADIOACTIVELY CONTAMINATED MATERIAL; DECONTAMINATION ARRANGEMENTS THEREFOR
    • G21F3/00—Shielding characterised by its physical form, e.g. granules, or shape of the material
    • G21F3/02—Clothing
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N23/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups G01N3/00 – G01N17/00, G01N21/00 or G01N22/00
    • G01N23/02—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups G01N3/00 – G01N17/00, G01N21/00 or G01N22/00 by transmitting the radiation through the material
    • G01N23/06—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups G01N3/00 – G01N17/00, G01N21/00 or G01N22/00 by transmitting the radiation through the material and measuring the absorption
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A41—WEARING APPAREL
    • A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
    • A41D13/00—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches
    • A41D13/04—Aprons; Fastening devices for aprons

Definitions

  • This relates to the testing of tracking medical aprons, specifically lead aprons.
  • Lead aprons are commonly used in medical facilities when x-rays are performed.
  • One of the difficulties is to be able to track the lead apron to insure that it has been tested and is satisfactory for use on humans. If the apron is defective and not adequately tested, it may lead to injury to the person from exposure to excessive radiation.
  • the tracking for the inspection of an apron occurred by attaching a radio frequency indicator on the apron or using a barcode.
  • the user of the system would need either an RF reader or barcode reader to verify that the apron had been inspected in a proper fashion.
  • This system eliminates the need to use a barcode that can become soiled and ineffective and eliminates the use of an RF tag that can be expensive and deteriorate after extended exposure to radiation.
  • Most medical aprons used in medical facilities are lead and it is imperative that before the apron is placed on a person, the integrity of the apron must be verified. If the apron is defective before use on a person, the person may be exposed to excessive, dangerous levels of radiation.
  • Every State has regulations concerning the viability of a lead apron and each State has different inspection periods for aprons. This method will insure that the apron is of sound quality that can be quickly verified by the worker. Software that is incorporated into the system will permit the end user to also verify the identity of the inspector as well as all inspection data on the apron, including the location of disposal, if warranted.
  • the actual testing of the apron does not change; it is the way that the lead apron is tracked so that the person at the medical facility can be assured that the apron's integrity is intact.
  • the method to inspect the apron does not change; it is the tracking of the apron that does change. With this system the apron can be tracked to verify when the inspection occurred and the identity of the inspector.
  • the cost of a medical apron is typically in the neighborhood of five hundred dollars ($500.00) each and it is required to be tested on a regular, routine basis.
  • a hospital may have several hundred lead aprons in its inventory.
  • FIG. 1 is a front view of a medical apron.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic of the components of this process.
  • Most aprons 5 that are used in hospitals or doctor's offices and clinics contain lead to shield the person from harmful amounts of radiation.
  • the interior of the apron has a lead powder embedded in material on the interior. Over time, that material will decay, and the lead will tear away from the embedded material, which in turn will create holes or cracks in the interior of the apron 5 . If there is a hole or tear or crack in the apron 5 the person may be exposed to dangerous levels of radiation.
  • the inspector is looking for any holes and cracks, which are often not noticeable with a simple visual inspection.
  • the numbers are engraved on the tamper resistant device and the color markings will change depending on the inspection period.
  • the human readable number that is part of this process can be converted to a machine readable number by the software 20 that is employed with this process.
  • the apron 5 will be assigned a number by the user of the facility.
  • the visual inspection indicator 15 may be color coded, there may be some other distinguishing marking.
  • the purpose of the inspection indicator 15 is to allow a quick way by which a person can determine if the apron is ready for use. Simply by looking at the inspection indicator 15 the user would be able to determine that the apron has been inspected.
  • the inspection indicator 15 that is placed on the metal tag may be color coded for ease of reference.
  • the inspection indicator 15 may also have some numbering reference.
  • the user affixes the tamper resistant device 10 on the apron and also assigns the inspection indicator 15 .
  • This process incorporates software 20 that will allow the person to automatically track the location of an apron 40 and also allow the person to verify that the apron has been inspected 25 according to State regulations and has been approved for use.
  • the software 20 is also equipped to track certain demographic information about the apron including the color of the apron, the shape of the apron and a picture of the apron to name a few representative features of a particular apron.
  • Software is incorporated into the device, and this process will also track the inspector 30 including the location of the inspector and the date of inspection 25 and the location of the apron 40 .
  • the inspector 30 including the location of the inspector and the date of inspection 25 and the location of the apron 40 .
  • An added feature of the software will be the ability of the person to include notes 45 about the apron and whether or not the apron should be disposed and disposal information 35 , if appropriate including the disposal site.
  • notes 45 section of the software certain information about the apron may be catalogued including the color of the apron, the general shape of the apron, the age of the apron, a picture of the apron and the manufacturer of the apron to name a few representative facts about the apron.
  • Other information about the apron 5 may be stored in the notes 45 section.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • High Energy & Nuclear Physics (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Immunology (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Accommodation For Nursing Or Treatment Tables (AREA)

Abstract

One of the challenges for hospitals or clinics where X-ray machines are used is ensuring that the integrity of the apron that is used is intact. Once it has been established that a particular apron is fit for use, a process to identify and then track the apron becomes necessary due to the number of aprons that are stored in this size medical facility. A unique tamper resistant device is placed on the apron and then a unique identifier is placed on the unique tamper resistant device for ease of identification. Software is also incorporated to keep a log of all the activities related to a particular apron.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A. Field of the Invention
This relates to the testing of tracking medical aprons, specifically lead aprons. Lead aprons are commonly used in medical facilities when x-rays are performed. One of the difficulties is to be able to track the lead apron to insure that it has been tested and is satisfactory for use on humans. If the apron is defective and not adequately tested, it may lead to injury to the person from exposure to excessive radiation.
In large facilities such as hospitals or clinics, there may be several hundred aprons that need to be tracked. To date, there has been no process for checking the integrity of a medical lead apron and adequately documenting the condition of the apron.
B. Prior Art
In the prior art the tracking for the inspection of an apron occurred by attaching a radio frequency indicator on the apron or using a barcode. In order to determine whether or not an apron had been inspected, the user of the system would need either an RF reader or barcode reader to verify that the apron had been inspected in a proper fashion.
This system eliminates the need to use a barcode that can become soiled and ineffective and eliminates the use of an RF tag that can be expensive and deteriorate after extended exposure to radiation.
In the prior art other patents and applications teach tracking systems and a representative example of this type of device can be found at DeBusk, U.S. Pat. No. 6,581,204. This application tracks and monitors medical supply usage and does not teach the specific means to track medical aprons that are taught by this application.
Another example that can be found in the prior art is Williamson, U.S. Pat. No. 5,842,976 that teaches a method to track and store an inventory system for medication and treatment purposes. With the current process there is no need for inventory control because the apron is not a disposable item but is an item that can be used repeatedly.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This is a process for documenting the integrity of a medical lead apron. Most medical aprons used in medical facilities are lead and it is imperative that before the apron is placed on a person, the integrity of the apron must be verified. If the apron is defective before use on a person, the person may be exposed to excessive, dangerous levels of radiation.
Every State has regulations concerning the viability of a lead apron and each State has different inspection periods for aprons. This method will insure that the apron is of sound quality that can be quickly verified by the worker. Software that is incorporated into the system will permit the end user to also verify the identity of the inspector as well as all inspection data on the apron, including the location of disposal, if warranted.
The actual testing of the apron does not change; it is the way that the lead apron is tracked so that the person at the medical facility can be assured that the apron's integrity is intact.
In the prior art, the usual manner of tracking the condition of an apron is to leaf through logs of paperwork that would indicate the number and dates of the inspections. This was understandably time consuming.
Additionally, holes or cracks may develop in the apron which would expose patients to unnecessary x-ray radiation. The method to inspect the apron does not change; it is the tracking of the apron that does change. With this system the apron can be tracked to verify when the inspection occurred and the identity of the inspector.
The cost of a medical apron is typically in the neighborhood of five hundred dollars ($500.00) each and it is required to be tested on a regular, routine basis. A hospital may have several hundred lead aprons in its inventory.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front view of a medical apron.
FIG. 2 is a schematic of the components of this process.
 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
This is a process for identifying and tracking lead medical aprons 5. Most aprons 5 that are used in hospitals or doctor's offices and clinics contain lead to shield the person from harmful amounts of radiation. The interior of the apron has a lead powder embedded in material on the interior. Over time, that material will decay, and the lead will tear away from the embedded material, which in turn will create holes or cracks in the interior of the apron 5. If there is a hole or tear or crack in the apron 5 the person may be exposed to dangerous levels of radiation. During the inspection of the lead apron 5 the inspector is looking for any holes and cracks, which are often not noticeable with a simple visual inspection.
This is a system by which a unique tamper resistant device 10 comprising a human readable number and/or letters and a visual inspection indicator 15 affixed to an apron 5 that is comprised of a color marking that changes with the inspection period. The numbers are engraved on the tamper resistant device and the color markings will change depending on the inspection period.
The human readable number that is part of this process can be converted to a machine readable number by the software 20 that is employed with this process.
The apron 5 will be assigned a number by the user of the facility. In addition to the tamper resistant device 10, there will be a visual inspection indicator 15. Although the visual inspection indicator 15 may be color coded, there may be some other distinguishing marking.
The purpose of the inspection indicator 15 is to allow a quick way by which a person can determine if the apron is ready for use. Simply by looking at the inspection indicator 15 the user would be able to determine that the apron has been inspected.
The inspection indicator 15 that is placed on the metal tag may be color coded for ease of reference. The inspection indicator 15 may also have some numbering reference. The user affixes the tamper resistant device 10 on the apron and also assigns the inspection indicator 15.
In the prior art in order to determine whether or not an apron has been inspected, the individual would need to look through volumes of log sheets to determine which apron was inspected and at what time. If the facility had several hundred aprons, this was a time-consuming task.
This process incorporates software 20 that will allow the person to automatically track the location of an apron 40 and also allow the person to verify that the apron has been inspected 25 according to State regulations and has been approved for use. The software 20 is also equipped to track certain demographic information about the apron including the color of the apron, the shape of the apron and a picture of the apron to name a few representative features of a particular apron.
With this system it will be easy to automatically allow the end user through color coding to determine whether an apron has been inspected and its continued viability.
Software is incorporated into the device, and this process will also track the inspector 30 including the location of the inspector and the date of inspection 25 and the location of the apron 40. In hospitals, for instance, there may be multiple departments that use lead aprons. This is important in terms of following the apron 5 in a hospital or doctor's office. Additionally, there will be a photo associated with the unique identify number that can be downloaded into the software. An added feature of the software will be the ability of the person to include notes 45 about the apron and whether or not the apron should be disposed and disposal information 35, if appropriate including the disposal site.
In the notes 45 section of the software certain information about the apron may be catalogued including the color of the apron, the general shape of the apron, the age of the apron, a picture of the apron and the manufacturer of the apron to name a few representative facts about the apron. Other information about the apron 5 may be stored in the notes 45 section.
Because most aprons contain lead, the disposal becomes a biohazard and certain precautions must be made to dispose of that particular content in a correct and safe fashion.
In the prior art, at attempt was made to use RFID tags or barcodes to track a particular apron or aprons. These RFID tags or barcodes decay over time and the barcode becomes unreadable thereby making such tracking impractical.
While the embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, certain modifications may be made by those skilled in the art to modify the invention without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims (11)

The inventor claims:
1. A process for identifying and documenting the testing of lead aprons which is comprised of:
a. a lead apron;
said lead apron is an apron for medical use;
b. software;
wherein the software stores data related to the lead apron;
c. a tamper resistant identification device;
wherein said tamper resistant device is affixed to the lead apron;
d. a visual inspection indicator;
wherein the visual inspection indicator is attached to the tamper resistant device;
said visual inspector indicator is further comprised of color markings.
2. The process as described in claim 1 wherein the data that is stored by the software is the date of the inspection.
3. The process as described in claim 1 wherein the data that is stored by the software is the results of the test.
4. The process as described in claim 1 wherein the data that is stored by the software is the identity of the inspector.
5. The process as described in claim 1 wherein the data that is stored by the software is the location of the inspector.
6. The process as described in claim 1 wherein the data that is stored by the software is the location of the lead apron.
7. The process as described in claim 1 wherein the data that is stored by the software is whether the lead apron has been disposed.
8. The process as described in claim 7 wherein the location of disposal can be stored.
9. The process as described in claim 1 wherein the unique identification uses color.
10. The process as described in claim 1 wherein the data that is stored by the software is a picture of the lead apron.
11. The process as described in claim 1 wherein the data that is stored by the software is the color of the lead apron.
US13/689,811 2012-11-30 2012-11-30 Process for checking medical aprons Active 2033-09-07 US8955164B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US13/689,811 US8955164B1 (en) 2012-11-30 2012-11-30 Process for checking medical aprons

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US13/689,811 US8955164B1 (en) 2012-11-30 2012-11-30 Process for checking medical aprons

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US8955164B1 true US8955164B1 (en) 2015-02-17

Family

ID=52463502

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US13/689,811 Active 2033-09-07 US8955164B1 (en) 2012-11-30 2012-11-30 Process for checking medical aprons

Country Status (1)

Country Link
US (1) US8955164B1 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10179965B1 (en) 2015-08-31 2019-01-15 Nikia Gordon Radiology garment dispensing, cleaning, and tracking system
US11220776B1 (en) 2015-08-31 2022-01-11 Nikia Gordon Radiology garment dispensing, cleaning, and tracking system

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3093829A (en) * 1962-03-02 1963-06-18 De Witt C Maine Protective apron construction
US3996620A (en) * 1975-03-28 1976-12-14 Maine Gayle J Radiation shield apron construction
US4924103A (en) * 1988-12-12 1990-05-08 Bar Ray Products, Inc. Radiation protection apron
US5530968A (en) * 1995-04-11 1996-07-02 Crockett; Wendy P. Commuter's apron
US5745925A (en) * 1994-09-15 1998-05-05 Ghilardi; Alfred Lead-containing garment
US5842976A (en) 1996-05-16 1998-12-01 Pyxis Corporation Dispensing, storage, control and inventory system with medication and treatment chart record
US5991728A (en) 1997-04-30 1999-11-23 Deroyal Industries, Inc. Method and system for the tracking and profiling of supply usage in a health care environment
US6581204B2 (en) 1999-08-24 2003-06-17 Ge Medical Systems Information Technologies, Inc. Modular tracking and profiling system

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3093829A (en) * 1962-03-02 1963-06-18 De Witt C Maine Protective apron construction
US3996620A (en) * 1975-03-28 1976-12-14 Maine Gayle J Radiation shield apron construction
US4924103A (en) * 1988-12-12 1990-05-08 Bar Ray Products, Inc. Radiation protection apron
US5745925A (en) * 1994-09-15 1998-05-05 Ghilardi; Alfred Lead-containing garment
US5530968A (en) * 1995-04-11 1996-07-02 Crockett; Wendy P. Commuter's apron
US5842976A (en) 1996-05-16 1998-12-01 Pyxis Corporation Dispensing, storage, control and inventory system with medication and treatment chart record
US5991728A (en) 1997-04-30 1999-11-23 Deroyal Industries, Inc. Method and system for the tracking and profiling of supply usage in a health care environment
US6581204B2 (en) 1999-08-24 2003-06-17 Ge Medical Systems Information Technologies, Inc. Modular tracking and profiling system

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10179965B1 (en) 2015-08-31 2019-01-15 Nikia Gordon Radiology garment dispensing, cleaning, and tracking system
US10793988B1 (en) 2015-08-31 2020-10-06 Nikia Gordon Radiology garment dispensing, cleaning, and tracking system
US11220776B1 (en) 2015-08-31 2022-01-11 Nikia Gordon Radiology garment dispensing, cleaning, and tracking system

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
World Health Organization Quality assurance of pharmaceuticals: a compendium of guidelines and related materials. Volume 2. Good manufacturing practices and inspection
Patel et al. Documentation and records: harmonized GMP requirements
WO2010018464A2 (en) Methods and systems for tracking objects in a validation process
US8955164B1 (en) Process for checking medical aprons
JP7257779B2 (en) Management device, management system, management method, and program for managing records of processing performed using test paper having discolored area
CN105260855A (en) Steel bar skeleton production quality management method of shield segment
Yarbrough et al. Respirator use in a hospital setting: establishing surveillance metrics
US20230402169A1 (en) Method and system for tracking medical technology product and medical technology product
Jagadeeswaran et al. FDA-CFR Title 21-Food and Drugs: Parts 800 to 1299
Huynh‐Ba Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and the Quality Systems
WHO Expert Committee on Specifications for Pharmaceutical Preparations et al. WHO Expert Committee on Specifications for Pharmaceutical Preparations [meeting held in Geneva from 10 to 15 December 1990]: thirty second report
JP2002049692A (en) Data processing system and method for medical checkup, and computer readable recording medium
Ciarapica et al. Business process re-engineering of surgical instruments sterilization process: A case study
Mustafa et al. Safety in laboratories: Indian scenario
US11704783B2 (en) Method of cleaning and identifying defects in wearable attenuation equipment
US20100070389A1 (en) Method for classifying, identifying and finding automatically, by means of informatic devices and systems, of surgical instruments of various kind, and for processing and managing data relating to the automatic classification, identification and finding of surgical instruments, obtained by means of such informatic devices and systems
Edy et al. Standard operating procedures
Indarti et al. Analysis of Medical Record Document Filling Completeness of Outpatient at Nala Husada Dental Hospital
Džemić et al. Healthcare quality and ISO/IEC 17020
Anazor et al. The Impact of Sterile Instrument Set Wrapping Defects on Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery Theatre Lists
CDA Practice Support Frequently Asked Radiation Safety Questions
Hasirci et al. Design and Manufacturing Requirements for Medical Devices
Williamson VA Health Care: weaknesses in policies and oversight governing medical supplies and equipment pose risks to veterans’ safety
Guarnacci GCLP: An Industry Perspective.
Montiel et al. 1578 The globally harmonised system chemicals implementation in order to stablish health and environmental risks (successful industry case)

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
STCF Information on status: patent grant

Free format text: PATENTED CASE

FEPP Fee payment procedure

Free format text: ENTITY STATUS SET TO MICRO (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: MICR)

MAFP Maintenance fee payment

Free format text: PAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEE, 4TH YEAR, MICRO ENTITY (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: M3551)

Year of fee payment: 4

MAFP Maintenance fee payment

Free format text: PAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEE, 8TH YEAR, MICRO ENTITY (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: M3552); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: MICROENTITY

Year of fee payment: 8